Here’s the secret of people who won’t stop talking

At the heart of our social interactions, language occupies a primordial place. While some are reserved, others seem incapable of remaining silent, monopolizing conversations.

Understanding why some people are real talkers can shed light on the deeper mechanisms of human communication.

Maintain social connections

The need to constantly talk can be explained by several scientific factors. First of all, language is an essential tool for creating and maintaining social connections.

According to a study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychologylanguage has a phatic function, that is to say it serves to establish or maintain contact with others. So, for some people, talking constantly is a way to strengthen social relationships and feel connected to others.

Speaking becomes addictive

Additionally, talking continuously may be linked to neurological mechanisms. Neuroscience has shown that verbal communication activates brain circuits associated with pleasure and reward. In big talkers, these circuits could be particularly stimulated, making speaking almost addictive.

Furthermore, during the Covid-19 pandemic, some researchers have highlighted the importance of silence to reduce the transmission of the virus, by limiting droplet emissions. Yet asking people to keep quiet has proven impractical.

Human nature

This highlights how speech is ingrained in our human nature. Our propensity to communicate goes beyond the simple transmission of information; it responds to a deep need for expression and interaction.

Finally, the incessant need to talk may also reflect underlying anxiety or a desire to fill a void. Speaking helps fill the silence, which can be uncomfortable for some. It can also be a way to manage stress or feel in control in a social situation.